Question

From the assigned readings, which of the reviewers of Smith's Strange Fruit wrote that "the worm of sentimentality" had "corrupted its style"?

Answer 1

R. Lynn Matson and Kirstin Wilcox were two reviewers of Smith's Strange Fruit who discussed the corruption of its style due to sentimentality.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the assigned readings, it is R. Lynn Matson who wrote that 'the worm of sentimentality' had 'corrupted [Strange Fruit's] style.' Matson argued that the metaphor 'sable monster' used in the manuscript should be changed to 'deadly serpent' to avoid a direct reference to slavery.

Kirstin Wilcox also supported Matson's argument, stating that poems that dealt with race and slavery were likely omitted to appeal to a broader audience.